15 For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach[a]—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted(A) with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:16 Lit because necessity is laid upon me

15 But I have not used any of these rights, and I’m not writing this so that they may be applied in my case. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my reason for[a] boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for this obligation has been entrusted to me. How terrible it would be for me if I didn’t preach the gospel! 17 For if I preach voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with that obligation. 18 What, then, is my reward? It is[b] to be able to preach the gospel free of charge, and so I never resort to demanding my rights when I’m preaching[c] the gospel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:15 The Gk. lacks reason for
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:18 The Gk. lacks It is
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:18 Lit. rights in